Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Law (Associate/Full Prof

York University

Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

Osgoode Hall Law School at York University invites applications from highly qualified applicants for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) at the rank of an Associate or Full Professor in Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Law. This appointment is contingent upon successful nomination to the Canada Research Chairs program (http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/) at the Tier 1 level. This is a tenure-track appointment to the Professorial Stream to commence July 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

We seek to hire a renowned expert in the field of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Law. This subject area broadly explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence technologies on legal systems and practices, and their implications for the development and regulation of law in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program seeks to attract outstanding researchers for careers at Canadian universities. Tier 1 Chairs are intended for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. Appointment to a Tier 1 Chair is for seven years, is renewable once, and comes with enhanced research support from the program. Nominees for Tier 1 Chair positions must be full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to the full professor level within one or two years of the nomination. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. Please see the CRC website http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/ for further eligibility details.

Recognizing the underrepresentation of women and gender minorities among CRCs, this position is open only to qualified researchers who indicate on the Affirmative Action self-identification form (see below) that they identify as women or gender non-conforming (e.g., genderfluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, trans man, trans woman). The appointment is part of the University’s Affirmative Action program, which is based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

York acknowledges the potential impact of various life circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, caregiving, family commitments) on a candidate’s record of research and other achievements. Candidates are encouraged to describe such circumstances and their impact in their application. This information will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

This is a research-enhanced faculty position partially funded by the Connected Minds https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/ program, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. The successful candidate will be eligible for enhanced start-up funds. In addition, the successful candidate will engage with, and benefit from, the Connected Minds program, which focuses on scholarship in three main research goals: 1) to understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels, 2) predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective and 3) use these predictions to drive new research and technology development. The Connected Minds program is supported by a total of $318 million in funding over seven years (2023-2030).

Osgoode has been shaping the future of legal education in Canada since 1889. The rich, innovative, and accessible legal education that Osgoode provides empowers our graduates to pursue flexible and challenging futures, to be leaders in the legal profession, and to serve the cause of justice and the public good. Our faculty excels in producing foundational, socially engaged, and world-leading academic scholarship.

In making this appointment, Osgoode will seek to advance the objectives underlying Osgoode’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 https://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/about/our-current-strategic-plan/. The plan identifies six areas of focus:
1. Anticipating Society-Level Crisis
2. Law in Local and Global Contexts
3. Rigorous Academic Scholarship
4. Advancing Reconciliation and Justice
5. Student Access and Success
6. Innovative and Engaged Legal Education
Candidate Qualifications:
Degree: All candidates must hold a JD degree, and a graduate degree in law and/or other relevant discipline (SJD/PHd or equivalent strongly preferred).

Scholarship:
• A coherent and well-articulated program of research and specialization in Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Law as described above in the position description.
• A record of generating innovative, substantive, rigorous, and as appropriate, externally funded research.
• A record of making influential contributions and demonstrating excellence of recognized international calibre in the field, as evident in: the research plan; a record of high quality publications (or forthcoming publications), including with significant journals in the field; presentations at major conferences; awards and achievements; and strong recommendations from referees of high standing.
• Candidates must also be able to take a leadership role in the discussion and debate on significant questions in the field. The latter capacity may be expressed, for example, through comments in the public press or participation in public conferences and colloquia.

Teaching:
• A record of excellence in teaching and dedication to students, demonstrated in: the teaching dossier; teaching accomplishments and pedagogical innovations including in high priority areas such as experiential education and technology enhanced learning; teaching evaluations; and strong letters of reference.
• Candidates must be capable of being effective teachers at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels in the field of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Law and other legal fields that may be informed by this perspective. In addition to teaching relevant courses at Osgoode, they are also expected to take an active role in the JD, LLM, and PhD programs such as organizing events and supporting student recruitment.
• Candidates must have a demonstrated interest in current and emerging issues in the field of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Law and related topics and must be able to contribute to the wider curriculum and be capable of providing leadership in the study of these issues.
• Suitability for prompt appointment to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, given that the position will involve graduate teaching and supervision. Candidates should have the capacity to direct the research activities of graduate students and to initiate and raise funds for significant research projects.

Hiring Policies:
• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• Osgoode Hall Law School is committed https://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/academic-employment-opportunities/commitment-to-equity/ to the principles of equality and diversity, and inclusion, broadly understood. We are particularly interested in candidates with diverse backgrounds and especially encourage candidates in equity, diversity and inclusion categories. As a part of this commitment, the Law School’s Employment Equity Plan aims to increase the representation on faculty of members from five groups: women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ persons. Women and gender non-conforming persons (to which this position is limited) who also identify as members of other equity-seeking groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
• York welcomes and employs scholars from all over the world. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/accommodation-in-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/ and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to contact François Tanguay-Renaud, Chair of the Faculty Recruitment Committee, at facultyrecruitment@osgoode.yorku.ca.

Application Process:
• Due date for completed applications: February 3, 2025
• Required materials: 1) current CV; 2) cover letter; 3) copies of law and graduate transcripts; 4) a detailed research plan; 5) a teaching dossier (see details below); 6) copies of three (3) academic articles or book chapters authored by the applicant (where published materials are not available, one or more dissertation/thesis chapter(s) may be submitted in lieu); 7) contact information for three (3) referees. Candidates may, during the recruitment process, be asked to have their referees provide their letters of reference directly to Osgoode. All applications will be kept confidential to the Osgoode Faculty Recruitment Committee and faculty colleagues who provide reviews of files.
• The teaching dossier should be no more than 15-20 pages and should include: teaching evaluations; a statement of teaching philosophy; an account of teaching experiences and related responsibilities (e.g., list of courses taught/course outlines, examples of print and digital teaching materials and how they are used); a summary of commitment to professional development (e.g., participation in teaching workshops, supervision of masters and doctoral students, mentoring new faculty); and other evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., student letters of support, teaching awards).
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application.
• Direct questions about the position to François Tanguay-Renaud, Chair of the Faculty Recruitment Committee, at facultyrecruitment@osgoode.yorku.ca.
• Submit materials: at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OS_CRC_AI

Learn More About York:
• York University generates and shares knowledge through our research, teaching and engagement with communities around the world. The 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan https://www.yorku.ca/research/strategic-research-plan-2023-2028/ showcases the depth, breadth and ambition of research at York.
• York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy https://www.yorku.ca/dedi-strategy/, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion https://www.yorku.ca/abr/ and the Indigenous Framework for York University https://indigenous.yorku.ca/framework/.
• Follow the activities and accomplishments of York’s faculty, students and staff on YFile https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/.

York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.